Optimal texture memory allocation

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for generating three-dimensional models having regions of various resolutions are provided. In particular, imagery data can be captured and utilized to generate three-dimensional models. Regions of texture can be mapped to regions of a three-dimensional model when rendered. Resolutions of texture can be selectively altered and regions of texture can be selectively segmented to reduce texture memory cost. Texture can be algorithmically generated based on alternative texturing techniques. Models can be rendered having regions at various resolutions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/298,816 filed on Jun. 6, 2014, entitled “OPTIMALTEXTURE MEMORY ALLOCATION.” The entirety of the aforementionedapplication is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for allocatingtexture resolution in a scanned three-dimensional model, and moreparticularly to reducing texture memory for three-dimensional models.

BACKGROUND

Interactive, first-person three-dimensional immersive environments arebecoming increasingly popular. In these environments, a user is able tonavigate through a virtual space. Examples of these environments includefirst person video games and tools for visualizing three-dimensionalmodels of terrain. Aerial navigation tools allow users to virtuallyexplore urban areas in three dimensions from an aerial point of view.Panoramic navigation tools (e.g., street views) allow users to viewmultiple 360-degree panoramas of an environment and to navigate betweenthese multiple panoramas with a visually blended interpolation.

Three-dimensional immersive environments can be generated based onpositional data and texture data. Generally, texture resolutions areglobally constant in an automatically generated three-dimensionalimmersive environment. While resolutions may be constant, variousregions of a three-dimensional immersive environment may have littleimportance to a user or may have little effect on a user's satisfactionwith a three-dimensional immersive environment.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the specification inorder to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of thespecification. This summary is not an extensive overview of thespecification. It is intended to neither identify key or criticalelements of the specification nor delineate the scope of any particularembodiments of the specification, or any scope of the claims. Itspurpose is to present some concepts of the specification in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented inthis disclosure.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed herein to facilitateselective allocating of differing texture resolutions to regions oftexture associated with a three-dimensional (“3D”) model. Heuristics canbe utilized to select regions and allocate texture resolutions for theregions of texture. Regions of texture can be judiciously segmentedbased on the heuristics.

Resolutions of the regions of texture can be altered to reduce texturememory with little or no loss in visual quality or increase texturememory where it is most needed to convey important detail. Textures canbe packed into texture atlases. Regions of a model can be rendered atvarious resolutions based on the altered texture resolutions, sensorydata, and two-dimension (“2D”) data.

The following description and the drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects of the specification. These aspects are indicative,however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of thespecification may be employed. Other advantages and novel features ofthe specification will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the specification when considered in conjunction with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Numerous aspects, embodiments, objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example system thatcan facilitate allocating resolutions to texture regions and generating3D models in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example system thatcan facilitate capturing media content, allocating resolutions forvarious portions of texture, and generating 3D models in accordance withcertain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example system thatcan facilitate generation of 3D models, segmentation of texture regions,allocation of resolutions to texture regions, and editing of 3D modelsor settings in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example system thatcan facilitate capturing content in accordance with embodiments of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example system thatcan facilitate rendering 3D models with regions of texturing havingvarious resolutions in accordance with certain embodiments of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example methodology that can provide forallocating resolutions for regions of texture of a 3D model inaccordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example methodology that can provide forjudiciously segmenting texture data, altering the texture data, andpacking the texture data into a set of 2D images in accordance withcertain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example methodology that can provide for capturing3D imagery data, determining resolutions for areas of texture, andconstructing a 3D model in accordance with certain embodiments of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example methodology that can provide foridentifying patterns within texture and allocating texture memory totexture regions associated with the patterns in accordance with certainembodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example methodology that can provide forrendering a 3D model having regions at various resolutions and variousregions of associated with alternative methods of representing colordata in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example schematic block diagram for a computingenvironment in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure;and

FIG. 12 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer operable toexecute certain embodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects or features of this disclosure are described withreference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used torefer to like elements throughout. In this specification, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of this disclosure. It should be understood, however, thatcertain aspects of disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform to facilitate describing this disclosure.

Terms such as “user equipment,” “user equipment device,” “mobiledevice,” “user device,” “handset,” or terms representing similarterminology can refer to a device utilized by a subscriber or user toreceive data, convey data, control, voice, video, sound, models, gaming,and the like. The foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably hereinand with reference to the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“end user,” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities, human entitiesrepresented by user accounts, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms), which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth.

Digital 3D models can be generated based on 2D sensory data, 3D sensorydata, sensory data in combination with raw 2D data, computer generatedpositional data, and the like. In an aspect, data used to generate 3Dmodels (e.g., 3D imagery data) can be collected from scans (e.g.,utilizing sensors) of real-world scenes, spaces (e.g., houses, officespaces, outdoor spaces, etc.), objects (e.g., furniture, decorations,goods, etc.), and the like. Data can also be generated based on computerimplemented 3D modeling systems. In embodiments, a camera or capturingdevice can capture visual texture data (e.g., spatially varyingluminance and color data) at one or more resolutions. A 3D model canutilize the texture data to provide texture to positions, geometricshapes, curved surface, and the like. For example, a 3D model cancomprise a collection of points represented by 3D coordinates, such aspoints in a 3D Euclidean space. The collection of points can beassociated with each other (e.g., connected) by geometric entities. Forexample, a mesh comprising a series of triangles, lines, curved surfaces(e.g., non-uniform rational basis splines (“NURBS”)), quads, n-grams, orother geometric shapes can connect the collection of points. In anaspect, texture can be associated with portions of the mesh. The texturecan comprise image data (e.g., pixels) describing texture, color,intensity, and the like.

In one or more aspects, a 3D model of an interior environment (e.g., thecaptured 3D data) can comprise geometric data and/or texture data. Thegeometric data can comprise data points of geometry in addition tocomprising texture coordinates associated with the data points ofgeometry (e.g., texture coordinates that indicate how to apply texturedata to geometric data). For example, a 3D model of an interiorenvironment (e.g., the captured 3D data) can comprise mesh data (e.g., atriangle mesh, a quad mesh, a parametric mesh, etc.), one or moretexture-mapped meshes (e.g., one or more texture-mapped polygonalmeshes, etc.), a point cloud, a set of point clouds, surfels and/orother data constructed by employing one or more 3D sensors. In oneexample, the captured 3D data can be configured in a triangle meshformat, a quad mesh format, a surfel format, a parameterized solidformat, a geometric primitive format and/or another type of format. Forexample, each vertex of polygon in a texture-mapped mesh can include aUV coordinate for a point in a given texture (e.g., a 2D texture), whereU and V are axes for the given texture. In a non-limiting example for atriangular mesh, each vertex of a triangle can include a UV coordinatefor a point in a given texture. A triangle formed in the texture bythree points of the triangle (e.g., a set of three UV coordinates) canbe mapped onto a mesh triangle for rendering purposes. In an aspect, thecaptured 3D data can be unsegmented captured 3D data. For example, thecaptured 3D data can be 3D data that is not partitioned and/or processedafter being captured by one or more 3D sensors (e.g., the at least one3D reconstruction system).

An interior environment (e.g., an indoor environment) can include, butis not limited to, one or more rooms, one or more houses, one or moreapartments, one or more office spaces, one or more construction sites,one or more commercial spaces, other living spaces, other workingspaces, other environment spaces, interiors of buildings, vehicles,vessels, aircrafts, subways, tunnels, crawl spaces, equipment areas,attics, cavities, etc. Furthermore, an interior environment can includephysical objects included in one or more rooms, one or more houses, oneor more apartments, one or more office spaces, one or more constructionsites, one or more commercial spaces, other living spaces, other workingspaces and/or other environment spaces.

It is noted that the terms “3D model,” “3D object,” “3D display,” “3Dreconstruction,” “3D rendering,” “3D construct,” and the like areemployed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particulardistinctions among the terms. It should be appreciated that such termscan refer to data representing an object, space, scene, and the like inthree dimensions, which may or may not be displayed on an interface. Inan aspect, a computing device, such as a graphic processing unit (GPU)can generate, based on the data, performable/viewable content in threedimensions. The terms “3D data,” “3D imagery data,” and like areemployed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particulardistinctions among the terms and can refer to data utilized to generatea 3D model, data describing a 3D model, and the like.

Embodiments described here may reference a model in a particular mode orview, such as a walking mode, orbital mode, floor plan mode, or thelike. However, it is appreciated that each mode can comprise a distinctmodel. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a mode can be defined as adistinct model with determined available features.

References to “a texture,” can represent a collection of image pixelsthat defines aspects of a particular area or region of an image (e.g.,color, intensity, hue, etc.). It is noted that a texture can comprisedistinct image channels (e.g., sub-textures). These channels can beseparated, layered, or otherwise processed individually or incombination. It is further noted that one or more textures can becombined or packed into an atlas. The atlas can be an image or set ofimages containing the packed texture fragments. It is noted that anatlas can comprise a rectangular image comprising a set of triangulartextures. In some embodiments, padding can be added around boundaries oftextures in an atlas. The padding can prevent one texture from bleedinginto another texture or a background during rendering.

It is noted that terms such as “atlas,” “aggregate image,” “aggregatetexture image,” or “texture summary” and the like are employedinterchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particulardistinctions among the terms. As above, such terms can represent acollection of texture regions that are combined in one or more images.The combined one or more images can be rectangular, square, or othergeometric shapes.

While various embodiments disclosed herein reference “a triangle,” “atriangular shape,” “a triangular region,” or other similar terms areemployed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particulardistinctions among the terms. It is noted that various other regulargeometric shapes or irregular geometric shapes can be utilized. As such,it is appreciated that a reference to triangles can also include areference to quads, polygons with arbitrary numbers of sides, othergeometric shapes, or any combination of the above. However, for sake ofreadability, triangles and similar terms are used to describe thevarious embodiments of this disclosure.

When a 3D model is rendered, a triangular region of a texture can bemapped onto a 3D triangular shape. In an aspect, the textures can bestored or packed in an atlas (or atlases) and may be stored in texturememory. Thus, texture memory cost can be determined by a number offactors, including resolutions at which textures are stored, efficiencyof packing methods, an amount of padding used, and other factors thatwill be apparent herein. Texture memory or texture size can refer to anamount of memory needed to store textures, atlases, and the like. It isnoted that texture memory cost can affect long term storage of a 3Dmodel, an amount of data needed to transmit a 3D model or portionthereof, performance of processing units (e.g., central processing units(“CPUs”), GPUs, graphics cards, etc.), or other storage or performancemetrics associated with a 3D modeling system.

A 3D modeling system can generate a 3D model based on captured imagedata, position data, and the like. The image data can include texturescaptured or generated at one or more resolutions. In accordance with oneor more embodiments described in this disclosure, a resolutionallocation component can determine resolutions or sizes of textures. Inan aspect, a resolution allocation component can determine a currentresolution of a texture and can determine a target resolution for thetexture based on one or more heuristics. The texture can be altered tothe target resolution and stored at the target resolution. In variousembodiments, that the target resolution can be a minimum availableresolution, a maximum available resolution, an average resolution, andthe like. It is noted that the resolution allocation component can alterresolutions of textures before a 3D model is constructed, after a 3Dmodel is constructed, before textures are created at an initialresolution, after textures are created at an initial resolution, or atvarious other times. In some embodiments, a resolution allocationcomponent can determine alternative methods of representing color datafor various texture regions.

In embodiments, a segmentation component can dynamically segmenttextures associated with a 3D model to facilitate efficient allocationof a texture memory. Segmenting the textures can comprise determining aset of segments from captured imagery data, rearranging (e.g.,combining, dividing, removing, or otherwise altering) segments of analready generated set of segments, and the like. It is noted thatsegmenting textures can also include configuring or segmenting a 3Dmesh. In an aspect, the segmentation component and resolution allocationcomponent can communicate to facilitate the segmenting and resolutionallocation.

In some embodiments, a resolution allocation component can pack oraggregate textures into aggregate images (e.g. atlases). The resolutionallocation component can group triangular textures to form a rectangularimage or set of images (e.g., an aggregate image or an atlas). In anaspect, padding can be added to reduce or eliminate textures of an atlasbleeding into neighboring textures or background.

In accordance with other embodiments described in this disclosure, a 3Dmodeling method utilizing resolution allocation techniques is describedherein. The method can include generating a 3D model based on imagerydata. For example, captured 2D images or 3D data can be associated withcoordinates of a 3D model based on image or feature matching techniquessuch as bundle adjustment and other photogrammetry techniques, locationdata, data from additional sensors such as Inertial Measurement Units(IMUs), and the like.

The method can include selecting, based on a selection criterion, aregion of texture for altering. The selected region of texture can bealtered through adjusting a resolution, removing pixel data, selectingreconstruction techniques for the selected region (e.g., vertexcoloring, pseudo random pattern generation techniques, etc.), orotherwise altering the region. In another aspect, the method can includecombining or removing one or more regions of texture.

A packing method can pack regions of texture into an atlas, aggregateimage, or texture summary. For example, the method can generate a squareimage that comprises a set of triangular texture regions. In anotherexample, the method can efficiently pack texture fragments into a squareimage such that the fragments do not overlap. In various embodiments,the packing method can comprise generating padding around certainregions of texture within an atlas.

In embodiments, a method can include generating a rendering of a 3Dmodel having various regions of texture with various resolutions. In anaspect, regions of texture, having associate resolutions, can be mappedonto 3D regions of a 3D model. The method can iterate generatingrenderings as a user navigates a 3D model.

In 3D modeling systems, texture data is typically mapped to 3D meshes.In some 3D modeling systems, texture resolution is assigned based on aglobal resolution, such as one pixel of texture resolution per squaremillimeter of surface in a 3D model. In other systems, textureresolution is related to the resolution at which the data was originallycaptured. Contiguous triangles on the mesh often map to contiguous areasof texture on the texture image. Sets of triangles can be assigned tothe same texture if they are adjacent to each other and have similarenough normals, such that a map from the vertices of the triangles inthe set to the texture involves relatively minimal distortion. Inanother aspect, traditional 3D modeling systems may inefficiently storetextures at higher resolutions than necessary or may increaseresolutions of regions of texture with little or no increase on usersatisfaction.

In implementations, the components described herein can perform actionsonline or offline. Online/offline can refer to states identifyingconnectivity between one or more components. In general, “online”indicates a state of connectivity, while “offline” indicates adisconnected state. For example, in an online mode, models can bestreamed from a first device (e.g., server) to a second device (e.g.,user device), such as streaming raw model data or in rendered models. Inanother example, in an offline mode, models can be generated andrendered on one device (e.g., user device), such that the device doesnot receive data or instructions from a second device (e.g., server).

Some details pertaining to embodiments of the subject disclosure can befound in the following U.S. patent applications that are licensed to theassignee of the present application for patent: application Ser. No.14/298,370 filed Jun. 6, 2014 and application Ser. No. 14/219,906 filedMar. 19, 2014, each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The above-outlined embodiments are now described in more detail withreference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used torefer to like elements throughout. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It may beevident, however, that the embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing theembodiments.

While the various components are illustrated as separate components, itis noted that the various components can be comprised of one or moreother components. Further, it is noted that the embodiments can compriseadditional components not shown for sake of brevity. Additionally,various aspects described herein may be performed by one device or twoor more devices in communication with each other. In some disclosedaspects, like named components describe different figures and/orembodiments but can perform substantially similar acts and/or functions,unless context suggests otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 is depicted. System 100 canallocate resolutions to texture regions and generate 3D models, inaccordance with various embodiments disclosed herein. Embodimentsdisclosed herein, for example, can generate a 3D model, determineresolutions of texture data, alter resolutions of texture data,facilitate efficient allocation of texture data cost, and the like. Suchembodiments can facilitate improved 3D modeling systems, increaseefficiency of 3D modeling systems, improve user satisfaction, andprovide other benefits that will be apparent herein.

System 100 can primarily include a memory 104 that stores computerexecutable components and a processor 102 that executes computerexecutable components stored in the memory 104. It is to be appreciatedthat the system 100 can be used in connection with implementing one ormore of the systems or components shown and described in connection withother figures disclosed herein. It is noted that all or some aspects ofsystem 100 can be comprised in larger systems such as servers, computingdevices, smart phones, tablets, personal computers, cameras, and thelike. As depicted, system 100 can include communicably coupledcomponents primarily comprising a 3D modeling component 110 (which cangenerate 3D models and facilitate rendering 3D models) and resolutionallocation component 120 (which can determine allocated resolutions fortextures associated with a 3D model).

System 100 can receive input to facilitate generation of 3D modelscomprising 3D imagery data and 2D imagery data. For example, system 100can receive raw 2D imagery data, sensory data, 3D imagery data, and thelike. In some embodiments, system 100 can receive a fully or partiallygenerated 3D model. It is noted that system 100 can receive input, forexample, from a capturing device, sensors, a memory store (e.g.,database, storage medium, cloud storage, memory 104, etc.), a user(s)(e.g., a user interacting with an interface), and the like.

3D modeling component 110 can facilitate generation of 3D models. Insome embodiments, 3D modeling component 110 can generate a 3D modelbased on 3D imagery data, such as a set of points, a geometric mesh,color data, capturing data (e.g., camera speed, rotation, camera type,etc,), position data, and the like. In an aspect, 3D modeling component110 can determine position data based on a global satellite positioning(GPS) system, triangulation (e.g., access point triangulation),gyroscope data, motion sensors, accelerometer (e.g. a 3-axisaccelerometer), IMU, trilateration system (e.g., GPS or a localarrangement of signal emitters), visual odometry calculation, physicalodometry measurement, augmented reality markers, or any variety of acombination of the aforementioned or other technologies. Physicalmeasurements of absolute scale may also be taken. The time of each 3Dscene capture may also be determined. Rough estimation of cameramovement may be computed using various methods such as optical flow or2D or 3D feature tracking. This information may be used to provideadditional clues about alignment when determining automatic alignment of3D scenes.

3D modeling component 110 can generate textures based on varioustechniques. For example, appearance data may be projected onto the 3Dmodel, and then texture geometries from sections of the model may beprojected onto a flat 2D image. Pixels can be assigned to the texturegeometries based on the projection. Once assigned a texture mapping tothe model, the textures can be rendered onto 3D regions of a mesh atrender time, for example by a graphics card.

3D modeling component 110 can identify as well as determine positions ofobjects, barriers, flat planes, architectural elements, and the like.For example, based on 3D imagery data, 3D modeling component 110 canidentify barriers, walls, objects, (e.g., counter tops, furniture,etc.), architectural elements, or other features of the 3D imagery dataand can determine positions and orientations within a 3D model.

Identification of architectural elements can include identifying flatsurfaces associated with the captured 3D data (e.g., mesh). Flatsurfaces can be characterized by 2D regions on a plane. Flat surfacescan include walls, floors, and/or ceilings associated with the captured3D data. In one example, 3D modeling component 110 can identify walls,floors, and/or ceilings in captured 3D data by identifying planes withina mesh. Planes that comprise a particular size and/or a particular angle(e.g., an angle corresponding to walls, floors, or ceilings) can beidentified as walls, floors, and/or ceilings (e.g., a flat surface, aprominent plane, etc.). For example, 3D modeling component 110 canidentify and/or segment a portion of the captured 3D data thatcorresponds to a constant (e.g., relatively constant) surface normal asa flat plane. Additionally or alternatively, the 3D modeling component110 can identify a portion of the captured 3D data (e.g., a section of amesh) that corresponds to a particular flat surface and/or associate theportion of the captured 3D data (e.g., a section of the mesh) with theparticular flat surface.

In another aspect, 3D modeling component 110 can identify non-flatsurfaces (e.g., curved surfaces) associated with the 3D imagery data. Anon-flat surface can include, but is not limited to, a cylinder, asphere, convex or concave surface, etc. 3D modeling component 110 canemploy a parameterization associated with a non-flat surface (e.g., acurved surface) to fit a curved surface to the 3D model. Additionally,the 3D modeling component 110 can employ a parameterization associatedwith a non-flat surface to identify and/or segment a non-flat surface asdescribed above with regard to a flat surface.

In one or more embodiments, 3D modeling component 110 can identifyobjects such as paintings, furniture, or other objects that may be foundattached to surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings. The objectscan be segmented out from the rest of a surface. In another example,objects that are not part of a surface can be identified and located.For example, multiple objects may be joined based on variouscharacteristics such as having sections of boundaries in very closeproximity to one another, having a visual appearance (e.g., hue ortexture) that match neighboring regions, and the like. Some embodimentsof the foregoing can be found in application Ser. No. 14/298,370.

In an aspect, 3D modeling component 110 can generate a mesh comprising aseries of triangles, lines, curved surfaces, NURBS, quads, n-grams, orother geometric shapes that connect a collection of points of 3D imagerydata. In an aspect, texture can be associated with portions of the mesh.The texture can comprise image data describing texture, color,intensity, and the like.

3D modeling component 110 can map texture data of 3D imagery data onto3D shapes or 3D meshes. In various embodiments, textures can be receivedfrom a capturing device, a memory store, or the like. It is noted that3D imagery data can comprise multiple regions of texture associated witha common position and 3D modeling component 110 can generate multiple 3Dmodels having varying resolutions.

Resolution allocation component 120 can judiciously allocate or assignresolutions to regions of texture. For example, resolution allocationcomponent 120 can analyze a region of texture and determine a currentresolution of the texture. The resolution allocation component 120 canthen determine, based on one or more heuristics, a target resolution forthe region of texture. The region of texture can be altered to thetarget resolution. In another embodiment, resolution allocationcomponent 120 can compare multiple textures corresponding to a 3D region(e.g., a triangle or a cluster of contiguous triangles). These texturesmay be associated with one or more resolutions. For example, a camera(s)can capture textures at different resolutions. Thus, in some embodimentsaltering a resolution can comprise appropriate selection of a texturehaving a determined resolution.

In embodiments, the target resolution can be a lower or reducedresolution with respect to the current resolution. In anotherembodiment, the target resolution can be a higher resolution, as will bedescribed below. In yet another embodiment, resolution allocationcomponent 120 can determine not to utilize texture data for a region.For example, resolution allocation component 120 can determine toutilize computer generated shading or texturing techniques, such asvertex coloring, to texture a particular region of a 3D mesh.Determining to utilize computer generated shading or texturingtechniques for a particular region can forgo the need to store texturefor the particular region.

Altered textures can be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 104) along withoriginal textures. In an aspect, the altered textures or originaltextures can be utilized to facilitate generating a 3D model withtextures at various resolutions. In another aspect, the altered texturescan reduce an amount of memory need to store various regions of textureor can enhance a selected region. It is noted that textures can bestored or aggregated into a texture atlas. In an aspect, resolutionallocation component 120 can reduce a size (e.g., amount of memory)needed to represent a texture atlas.

In embodiments, resolution allocation component 120 can partition orsegment imagery data to facilitate resolution allocation. In an aspect,as described in more detail below, the partitioning can occursimultaneously with generating a mesh or assigning textures topartitioned regions. In another aspect, partitioning can occur after 3Dmodeling component 110 generates the mesh. Partitioning can includepartitioning textures into segments or regions of texture, rearranging(e.g., combining, dividing, removing, or otherwise altering) segments ofan already generated set of segments, and the like. In an aspect,partitioning texture and allocating resolution can occur simultaneouslyor substantially simultaneously.

It is noted that various embodiments disclosed herein can alter textureregions at various times or at various phases of generating, rendering,or providing 3D models. In some embodiments, resolution allocationcomponent 120 can alter textures during a capturing process. In otherembodiments, resolution allocation component 120 can alter texturesafter 3D modeling component 110 generates a 3D model or prior togenerating a 3D model. In various other embodiments, resolutionallocation component 120 can alter texture regions upon system 100receiving a request to access a 3D model (e.g., user input indicatingthe user desires to download, stream, or otherwise access the 3D model)or a request to utilize resolution allocation methods described herein.

Various heuristics or criterions can be utilized to determine whether toalter resolution of texture regions, what resolution to alter a textureregion to, whether to utilize computer generated texture techniques, howto partition a 3D mesh or texture regions, and the like. While manysituations and factors are disclosed below, it is appreciated thatsystem 100 can utilize other heuristics or criterions for othersituations or factors. Furthermore, system 100 can be configured basedon predetermined settings, dynamically determined settings, user input,or the like.

In one or more embodiments, the resolution allocation component 120 canassign resolution and/or segment texture regions based one or more of: adetermined frequency domain of a region, subjective or objectiveinterest, user input, detected architectural elements, distance fromviewpoints or likely viewpoints of a model, image quality metrics of aregion (e.g., capture resolution, level of visual detail, etc.), size ornumber of texture regions, identification of a pattern, identificationof semi-random or random patterns, any combination of the above, andvarious other factors.

In embodiments, resolution allocation component 120 can automaticallyand dynamically assign a rank or score to resolutions and/or portionsbased on probability models, inference models, artificial intelligencemodels, and the like. For example, resolution allocation component 120can utilize a dynamic Bayesian network such as a Hidden Markov Model(HMM) using a Viterbi algorithm. Resolution allocation component 120 canselect appropriate resolutions or segmentations based on a rank orscore. For example, a HMM can be configured for a feature (e.g.,distinguishable portion of an image) emphasis, scene/compositionemphasis, image quality emphasis (e.g., resolution, sharpness, contrast,color saturation, noise), efficiency emphasis, distance emphasis, oremphasis based on one or more selection criterions described herein suchthat comparison, scoring according to a metric, segmentation, orresolution allocation occur simultaneously or substantiallysimultaneously.

In another example, resolution allocation component 120 can use avariety of suitable artificial intelligence (AI)-based schemes asdescribed supra in connection with facilitating various aspects of theherein described invention. For example, a process for learningexplicitly or implicitly how to segment or assign resolutions can befacilitated via an automatic classification system and process.Inferring or learning can employ a probabilistic or statistical-basedanalysis to infer an action that is to be executed. For example, asupport vector machine (SVM) classifier can be employed. Other learningapproaches include Bayesian networks, decision trees, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Learning as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, thesubject innovation can employ learning classifiers that are explicitlytrained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitlytrained (e.g., via observing user behavior, receiving extrinsicinformation) so that the learning classifier is used to automaticallydetermine according to a predetermined criteria which action to take.For example, SVM's can be configured via a learning or training phasewithin a learning classifier constructor and feature selection module. Alearning classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector,k=(k1, k2, k3, k4, kn), to a confidence that the input belongs to alearning class—that is, f(k)=confidence(class).

Turning now to FIG. 2, a system 200 is depicted. System 200 can capturemedia content, allocate resolutions for various portions of texture, andgenerate 3D models, in accordance with various embodiments disclosedhere. System 200 can include a memory 204 that stores computerexecutable components and a processor 202 that executes computerexecutable components stored in the memory 204. It is to be appreciatedthat the system 200 can include various components described withreference to other systems or can be used in connection withimplementing one or more of the systems or components shown anddescribed in connection with other figures disclosed herein. It isfurther noted that all or part of system 200 can be included withinlarger systems, such as cameras, tablet computers, smart phones, laptopcomputers, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDA's), andthe like. System 200 can also include an imagery database 206 (whichstores 3D models and associated data). While system 200 is described asincluding imagery database 206, it is noted that system 200 can includeother databases, or additional databases.

As depicted, system 200 can include communicably coupled componentsprimarily comprising 3D modeling component 210 (which can generate 3Dmodels based on captured media), resolution allocation component 220(which can allocate resolutions to regions of texture), and capturecomponent 230 (which can facilitate capturing media content or sensorydata). It is noted that 3D modeling component 210 and resolutionallocation component 220 can respectively function similarly to 3Dmodeling component 110 and resolution allocation component 120.

Capture component 230 can receive data from one or more image capturingdevices or can comprise one or more image capturing devices. Capturingdevices can comprise 2D camera devices, 3D camera systems, sensors, andthe like. For example, capturing devices can comprise hardware such aslight detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, capture devices that notonly capture color and depth but that are also inexpensive, such as thePrimeSense™ Ltd. hardware in Microsoft Corporation's Kinect™, hand-heldlaser line scanners, structured light projectors paired with camerassuch as the Microsoft® Kinect, other structured light systems, stereocameras with software for depth derivation, stereo cameras paired withpattern projection systems as well as software for depth derivation,time-of-flight cameras, video cameras capable of structure-from-motioncalculations, and lightfield cameras. It is further noted that multiplecapture devices may be combined or a capture device may be paired with acolor camera to provide color detail for the captured information.Captured media or sensory data can be stored in imagery database 206. Inan aspect, stored media or sensory data can be stored for laterprocessing.

In an embodiment, resolution allocation component 220 can allocate orassign resolutions concurrently with capturing media or sensory data,substantially concurrently with capturing media or sensory data, aftercapturing media or sensory data, and the like. For example, capturecomponent 230 can identify architectural structures, areas of interest(e.g., high interest, normal interest, low interest, etc.), areas ofrepeating patterns, or various other aspects of media or sensory data.As capture component 230 identifies various aspects or in response toidentifying various aspects of media or sensory data, resolutionallocation component 220 can determine resolutions of texture data forthe various aspects.

In some embodiments, resolution allocation component 220 can allocate orassign resolutions during or in response to 3D modeling component 210generating a 3D model. For example, in some embodiments, 3D modelingcomponent 210 can identify architectural structures, areas of interest(e.g., high interest, normal interest, low interest, etc.), areas ofrepeating patterns, or various other aspects of media or sensory data.It is noted that 3D modeling component 210 can identify the variousaspects based on input received from capture component 230 or based onvarious identification techniques. During a 3D model generation process,3D modeling component 210 can generate meshes, texture regions, atlases,or the like. Resolution allocation component 220 can determine or alterresolutions for textures associated with various identified aspects.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a system 300 is depicted. System 300 canfacilitate generation of 3D models, allocation of resolutions to textureregions, segmentation of texture regions, and editing of 3D models orsettings, in accordance with various embodiments disclosed here. System300 can include a memory 304 that stores computer executable componentsand a processor 302 that executes computer executable components storedin the memory 304.

As depicted, system 300 can include communicably coupled componentsprimarily comprising 3D modeling component 310 (which can generate 3Dmodels), resolution allocation component 320 (which can assign or alterresolutions to various texture regions), segmentation component 330(which can facilitate segmentation of texture regions), and editingcomponent 340 (which can facilitate user editing of a 3D model). It isnoted that similarly named components of system 300 and other systemsdescribed herein can comprise similar aspects. It is to be appreciatedthat the system 300 can include various components described withreference to other systems described herein (e.g., system 100, system200, etc.).

Various features or functionality of the components of system 300 aredescribed herein with reference to one or more embodiments describedbelow. Embodiments are described with reference to various exemplaryscenarios, as such, it is appreciated that features or functionality ofthe components of system 300 can apply to other scenarios not mentionedfor sake of brevity and readability.

Turning to FIG. 4, with reference to FIG. 3, there illustrated is anexemplary capturing system 400 in an environment to be captured. System400 can comprise one or more capturing devices, such as capturing device412. While one capturing device (capturing device 412) is depicted, itis noted that other capturing devices can be utilized. In an aspect,capturing device 412 can communicate (e.g., wirelessly, or wired) via anetwork with system 300. In another aspect, capturing device 412 can becomprised within system 300.

In embodiments, capturing device 412 can be rotated or repositioned viaa motor that rotates or repositions capturing device 412 such that fieldof capture 422 is rotated or repositioned. In some embodiments, therotation or repositioning can be accomplished based on a user control,such as input received from input devices (e.g., joystick, buttons,remotes, mouse, etc.) or based on physical movement (e.g., userrepositions or manually rotates).

In some embodiments, capturing device 412 can perform multiple capturesor scans from a single capture position. Each scan can generate imagescaptured at one or more resolutions. In an example, capturing device 412can perform a high detail scan, a regular detail scan, and a low detailscan. While three distinct scans are described, it is appreciated that adifferent number of scans can be performed. In an aspect, texturesgenerated from each scan can be stored in a texture database.

In operation, capturing device 412 can capture data corresponding to oneor more views of surface 432 (e.g., a wall), surface 434 (e.g., adifferent wall), or objects within an environment, such as high interestobject 414 and distant object 418. It is noted that high interest object414 can represent an object within a frame (e.g., a photo, a poster, artwork, and the like), text, people (e.g., living people, images ofpeople, a face, etc.), or other object of high interest. Distant object418 can represent any detectable object, such as furniture, livingobjects (e.g., plants, people, animals, etc.), or virtually any object.Distant object 418 can represent an object at a determined distance froma capturing point of capturing device 412.

In an embodiment, resolution allocation component 320 can determine thatan area is allocated a larger amount of memory than needed. Based onthis determining, resolution allocation component 320 can determine toalter a resolution to a lower resolution. The lower resolution can bedetermined based on a target resolution or based on selecting imageshaving lower resolutions and replacing current images with the imageshaving lower resolutions (e.g., such as images in a texture database).In another aspect, resolution allocation component 320 can remove all orsome pixel data associated with a texture region or can indicate thatthe removed pixels should be generated (e.g., during rendering of a 3Dmodel) based on an alternative method of representing color data (e.g.,vertex coloring, painting, etc.). In an example, some areas or regionsmay not be particularly interesting to a user. Determining interest cancomprise a subjective or objective analysis of regions. Subjectiveanalysis can comprise an analysis based on user input or historical dataindicative of past user input or actions. Objective analysis cancomprise an analysis based on heuristics such as identification ofarchitectural elements, analysis of various metrics that define aspectsof an area, distance between a viewpoint or probable viewpoint and aregion, or the like.

In an example, resolution allocation component 320 can detect areas ofinterest based on identification of objects within texture data, userinput specifying an area or object of interest, or identification ofobjects during a capturing process. If resolution allocation component320 determines an area or object is of high interest or importance, thecorresponding texture can be stored at a higher resolution (e.g.,relative to other textures) or a maximum available resolution.

In another example, some areas of texture can have low visual detail.For example, surface 432 can be a wall of a solid color (e.g., white,red, etc.). During a capturing or 3D model generating process, surface432 can be associated with a large texture region with little visualdetail or variations within the texture region. Resolution allocationcomponent 320 can determine to condense the texture region (e.g., reducea resolution of the texture) based on determining the texture region haslittle visual detail or variations. In an aspect, surface 432 can berendered based on the reduce texture region such that the actual pixelsof the rendering may not altered or may be altered with little to noaffect on a users perception or satisfaction associated with therendering.

In an aspect visual detail can be based on a spatial variation intexture, a power of high frequency components of a Fourier transform ofthe texture, or an average value of the high-frequency components of animage encoding of the texture. Resolution allocation component 320 candetermine that high frequency channels of an image encoding (e.g., animage pyramid) of the texture are small (e.g., according to a threshold)and, in response, can remove the high frequency channels such that aresulting image has little or no perceptible visual change. It is notedthat if values in high frequency channels of an image are relativelylow, then removing small scale frequency channels has a small effect onthe visual quality of an image and the resolution may be reduced toscale with a similarly small effect on visual quality of texture. Theresolution allocated to texture of the image can be chosen based on themeasured variation or a bound on a difference between low resolution anda high resolution version of the texture; for example, the lowestresolution version may be chosen that satisfies some metric of imagedifference between that resolution and the high resolution. Inembodiments, resolution allocation component 320 can generate additionalversions of the texture at additional resolutions. A difference can becalculated, for example, as an average absolute value of a pixel-wisedifference between various versions of the texture and various otherversions of the texture. A selected resolution can be the lowestresolution for which the value is below a particular threshold. Inanother example, a brightness difference of a given percentile of adistribution of absolute values of the difference can be utilized. It isnoted that visual detail or variation can be determined based on otherfactors or techniques.

In another example, some regions of a model may be poorly scanned. Apoorly scanned region can represent a region where available scan datais of a lower quality than in other parts of the model. Determining thata region is poorly scanned can comprise determining a quality of imagedata associated with the region meets a threshold quality, such as basedon a predetermine quality threshold or a dynamically determined qualitythreshold based on a comparison of quality metrics associated with otherregions. Poorly scanned regions can be identified as regions where amaximum resolution recoverable from any view of triangles in that regionis significantly lower than in the rest of the model, such as due todistance or angle to the recorded views of that region. In an example, apoorly scanned region can be a result of the region being far from acapture location (e.g., capture positions associated with capturingdevice 412) from which data was captured, such as distant object 418. Inanother example, a poorly scanned region can correspond to a surface atan oblique angle to rays from a nearby scanning location (e.g., such asall or a portion of surface 434). In an aspect, an area of a surface(e.g., distant object 418 or a ceiling) which is only ever seem from faraway may have limited resolution due to distance, and a patch of surfacewhich is only seen at a very shallow angle (e.g., portion of surface434) may only have limited resolution available as measured in pixelsper square meter of surface area. In embodiments, resolution allocationcomponent 320 can determine input data available is poor and candetermine whether less memory or detail should be applied to the regionssuch that a rendering of the region can result in little or nodegradation in visual quality. Determination of poor input data oruseful target resolution for a region may be accomplished via variousmethods such as determining the effective capture resolution based onparameters such as camera resolution, distance, and angle, or analyzingimage data at different spatial frequencies to determine a maximum levelof detail. This resolution reduction may be achieved by reducing theresolution at which textures in the region are stored or selecting lowresolution images from a low resolution scan.

In one or more examples, resolution allocation component 320 candetermine some regions are far away from user viewpoints when navigatingthe rendered model (e.g., potential viewpoints, probable viewpoints,etc.) and do not need high detail or resolution. For example, if it isdetermined that an area is not likely to be viewed from up close by auser walking through a model (e.g., a ceiling), then a resolution of thearea can be reduced or can be selected such that the area will not bealtered to a higher resolution. In some embodiments, the area can have alow resolution to begin with (e.g., as a result of a capturing process).In this instance, texture associated with the area can be stored at thelow resolution or a reduced resolution. In another embodiment, the areacan have a high resolution to begin with (e.g., as a result of acapturing process) but may not be viewed closely. Thus, resolutionallocation component 320 can reduce the resolution to a thresholdresolution.

Resolution allocation component 320 can determine (e.g., predict) aprobability that an area will be viewed closely based on a historyassociated with one or more users or based on predetermined criteria. Ahistory can be analyzed to determine a statistical probabilityassociated with region of a model. In various embodiments, resolutionallocation component 320 can utilize artificial intelligence orstatistical models to determine a likelihood of whether an area will beviewed closely. For example, resolution allocation component 320 candetermine that a high ceiling is unlikely to be viewed up close by auser walking through the model. It is noted that a history can bemonitored by one or more components of system 300.

In an aspect, a texture associated (e.g., mapped to or covered duringrendering) with a region of mesh with unit area (in square meters) whichis viewed from no closer than distance (D) will subtend at most

$S = \frac{1}{D^{2}}$steradians. If there are R pixels per unit area, where R is a number, inthe texture once it is projected onto the mesh then the pixels persteradian are

$\frac{R}{S}.$If the desired lowest visual resolution is N pixels, where N is anumber, per steradian then solving the equation

$N \leq \frac{R}{S}$gives

${R \geq {N \times S}} = \frac{N}{D^{2}}$as a minimum required resolution. In embodiments, when it is determinedthat a likelihood that a texture area will be viewed at least distance Dfrom the closest point of the mesh, for a given texture, meets a definedthreshold likelihood, then the resolution of that texture area can beset to a minimum resolution (e.g., as described above), assuming theminimum is less than a default resolution associated with textures of a3D model.

In another example, a 3D model can be associated with a set of texturesthat comprise many small triangular texture regions. Resolutionallocation component 320 can determine if excess memory is utilized tostore these small triangular regions of texture. In an aspect, the smalltriangular regions of texture may not be a part of a large smoothsurface. These regions can be a result of sparsely scanned regions of aspace that results in errors associated with depth data, gaps betweentriangles, or incomplete capture of areas. An example of a space thatcan result in the above small triangular texture regions include edgesof outdoor spaces, where a resulting model transitions from a completeflat surface, to a surface with many holes, to a scattering ofdisconnected triangles. In one aspect, as a distance to a nearest scanlocation increases, the quality of the data used to generate the modeldecreases. Another example of such a space includes a space that, whencaptured, produces regions where poor reconstruction has resulted in asmooth surface being reconstructed as a set of small bumpy,disconnected, or overlapping patches.

In another example, textures may be subdivided into smaller regions, forexample along the boundaries of one or more mesh triangles, with thelevel of detail calculated separately for each region. These regions canresult in inefficient use of texture memory as each region requirespadding when added to an atlas. In an aspect, segmentation component 330can determine to re-segment the regions into more efficient regions. Itis noted that segmentation component 330 can determine efficientsegments during a 3D model generation process or post generation of a 3Dmodel. While various embodiments describe altering resolutions oftexture regions, it is appreciated that segmentation component 330 canfacilitate, in coordination with resolution allocation component 320,segmenting texture into regions and assigning appropriate resolutions tothe regions.

In an example, many small textures of this kind can be particularlyexpensive because of extra space needed due to imperfect texturepacking, as well as the higher ratio of padding pixels to pixels thatmap to a triangle in a mesh of a 3D model. To reduce or alter the smalltextures, segmentation component 330 can selectively remove smalltriangles from the mesh to reduce geometry in the mesh. Removing thetriangles can comprise re-segmenting areas associated with the trianglesand the like. In some aspects, segmentation component 330 can determinewhether removing a triangle alters a visual appearance of the mesh basedon comparing the mesh to a mesh with removed triangles. In someembodiments, comparing can comprise an automatic comparison orcomparison based on receiving user input indicating whether a visualappearance is altered or an automatic comparison (e.g., based onanalysis of spatial variations, etc.).

In another embodiment, segmentation component 330 can determine thattriangles should not be removed and resolution allocation component 320can determine triangles should be colored based on alternative methodsof representing color data that does not rely on a texture reference(e.g., such as an algorithmic coloring method). For example,segmentation component 330 can determine that removing triangles of a 3Dmesh results in degradation of visual quality of a model (e.g., based oncomparison of a 3D model and a 3D model with removed triangles) and inresponse or in parallel with this determining, resolution allocationcomponent 320 can determine to remove or delete pixel data associatedwith triangular texture regions. In various other embodiments,resolution allocation component 320 can determine to remove or deletepixel data and/or utilize alternative methods of representing color dataindependent of segmentation component 330 determining that trianglesshould or should not be removed. In an example, resolution allocationcomponent 320 can determine to utilize alternative methods ofrepresenting color data such as vertex coloring in place of utilizingpixels of a texture region. Face coloring can assign a color to a faceassociated with a mesh as a single color across the whole triangle.Vertex coloring can assign a color to a face associated with a mesh as aspatially weighted blend of colors based on colors at vertices of thetriangle. In either case, vertex or face coloring can reduce texturememory associated with the triangles. It is noted that resolutionallocation component 320 or segmentation component 330 can determinewhether to remove or otherwise alter small texture regions based onvarious other factors, such as a level of importance or interestassociated with the small texture regions. For example, regions that aredesignated as less important can allow for more projection error, moredeletion of triangles, or more application of vertex or face coloringtechniques. In another aspect, larger variations can be normal betweentriangles associated with the same texture, resulting in allowance oflarger angles between some of these triangles for the texture for theseregions.

As another example, some texture regions can correspond to a largeregion of mostly low detail and smaller regions of higher (fine) detail.For example, surface 432 can comprise a wall having mostly low detailand a region of high detail (e.g., high interest object 414). As anotherexample, a low detail region can correspond to a mostly blank whiteboardwith a small region of writing on the white board. Typically, the entiresurface 432 or white-board would be projected onto a single texture, forwhich a single resolution would be chosen. To preserve the high detailarea would then require using a high resolution texture for the entiresurface. To be more efficient, regions of high detail within anotherwise low-detail texture can be identified by resolution allocationcomponent 320. The triangles containing these high detail regions maythen be assigned to a higher resolution texture, while the low detailregions are assigned a reduced resolution without regard for preservingthe detail of the low detail region.

In an aspect, segmentation component 330 can re-segment the regions toseparate the low detail regions and the high detail regions. The regionsof a texture which have fine detail may be separated from regions whichdo not have fine detail by creating a map of detail level across thetexture and applying a graph-cut algorithm to separate regions of lowdetail from high detail. Regions of high detail may be expanded to coverfull triangles in the mesh that will be textured by the high detailtexture rather than a low detail texture. If triangles in the mesh inthe high-detail area are large relative to the size of the high-detailarea then these triangles may be subdivided to reduce the area that willbe covered by the high-detail texture. This subdivision may happen alongthe boundary or a limited number of line segments that enclose theboundary of the high detail texture region, and then further trianglesmay be added as necessary to triangulate the areas of the mesh aroundthe boundary. It is noted that if the region of fine detail is below athreshold size or level of contrast, the algorithm may choose to keepthe area at low resolution anyway. In one or more embodiments, if thehigh detail area includes a single change in brightness along tworegions of otherwise uniform brightness, a mesh edge can be added alonga brightness boundary, allowing the two regions to use two differentlow-resolution textures instead of introducing a high-resolution textureat the edge. Such regions may be detected, for example, by using an edgedetection algorithm and/or a region growing algorithm looking for areasof a texture with near-uniform brightness.

In another example, some regions can comprise repeated patterns.Resolution allocation component 320 can identify any identifiablepattern within the regions. Examples of areas having identifiablepatterns can comprise a tiled surface (e.g., floor, wall, ceiling,countertop, etc.), a Venetian blind, brick surfaces, ventilationaluminum, vinyl siding, wallpaper, carpeting, fabric, block windows,other areas having regular or semi-regular repeating patterns, and thelike. 2D pattern detection techniques such as “Detecting, localizing,and grouping repeated scene elements from an image” by Thonas Leung andJitendra Malik (Proceedings of the 4th European Conference on ComputerVision—Volume I, p. 546-555, Apr. 15-18, 1996) can be applied to thetextures to determine whether a repeating pattern is present and thepattern can be identified. A separated texture can be generated based onidentifying the pattern and then subtracting the pattern from an overalltexture. Subtracting the pattern can result in generation of a patternedtexture (e.g., sub-texture, portion, or channel of the overall texture,etc.) and a residual texture. The residual texture can be atsubstantially lower resolution. The patterned texture and the residualtexture can be combined, for example multiplicatively, at rendering timeby a shader on a graphics card. In another aspect, a resolution of theresidual texture can be reduced or removed in accordance with variousaspects disclosed herein. It is noted that the resolution of theresidual texture can be reduced regardless of spatial variation ordetail within the residual texture once the patterned texture isremoved. If the residual texture is removed, the residual texture can beartificially generated (e.g., based on a pseudo-random shadingtechnique, algorithmically generated pseudo-random texture, etc.) at runtime (e.g., rendering time) and combined with the patterned texture. Insome instances, the residual texture can correspond to lightingvariations and reflections on reflective or partially reflectivesurfaces. In another aspect, resolution allocation component 320 canutilize alternative methods of representing color data, lighting, orshading techniques based on identified light sources to modify thepatterned texture. In another aspect, resolution allocation component320 can identify a pre-determined pattern based on a library ofpre-determined patterns. A library can comprise a set of previouslyidentified patterns or pre-defined patterns. For example, a 3D model cancomprise a model of an architectural structure having multiple rooms.The rooms can have common patterns and once a common pattern isidentified, the pattern can be reused. In some examples, multiplebathrooms can have the same tiled pattern, multiple walls can have acommon wallpaper, windows can utilize a common window treatment (e.g.,blinds, shades, etc.), and the like.

Once a repeating patterned texture is identified, it may then berepresented in a highly compact fashion. The identified repeatingpatterned textured can then be utilized to represent various regions ofa 3D model and/or stored in a library of patterns. For example, arepeating patterned texture can be designated as a “tiled” texture forrendering in a tiled fashion on the model.

In yet another example, some areas of texture can correspond to capturedregions having random or semi-random textures. For example, a region ofa mesh can correspond to a stuccoed wall, sponge paint ceiling, woodpaneling, wood grain, and the like. Resolution allocation component 320can identify the semi-random or random texture and can determine toreplace the random or semi-random texture with an algorithmicallygenerated random or pseudo-random texture that best matches the originaltexture. One technique for recognizing and generating such textures isdescribed in “Learning generative texture models with extendedFields-of-Experts” by Heess, Williams, and Hinton. It is noted thatrandom or semi-random textures can be separated into visual components,and a result can generate a generative texture model and a residualtexture that can represent variations in illumination and the like.

Once a random or semi-random texture is identified, it may then berepresented in a highly compact fashion. It may be stored or transmittedas a generative algorithm and then turned into a texture on a clientmachine prior to rendering. Alternatively, it may be generated at rendertime using a shader algorithm or other technique.

In one or more embodiments, a user can provide input (e.g., via aninterface) to editing component 340. The user input can correspond to auser's desire to alter a resolution of a 3D model or a portion of the 3Dmodel. For example, a user can view a rendering of a 3D model and candetermine whether an area or object within the model should have analtered resolution (e.g., increased resolution, decreased resolution,etc.). In another example, a user can provide input prior to renderingthat indicates the model should be rendered utilizing or not utilizingresolution allocation techniques as described herein. It is noted that auser can selectively determine to utilize certain resolution allocationtechniques (e.g., pattern identification, high interest regions, etc.).In one or more other embodiments, editing component 340 can determineperformance metrics associated with rendering a 3D model and candetermine whether resolution allocation will result in an increase ordecrease of a user's experience. For example, editing component 340 candetermine performance metrics associated with one or more components ofa user equipment device (e.g., desktop computer, smart phone, set topbox, tablet, PDA, etc.). The performance metrics can be determined basedon specifications of processors, graphics cards, monitors, viewingcomponents, connection speed (e.g., available bandwidth, download/uploadspeed, etc.), and the like. In another aspect, editing component 340 canfacilitate a test of a user equipment device to determine whetherresolution allocation at a particular level will likely result in asubstantially increased or decreased user experience. In one example,editing component 340 can determine a maximum resolution of a monitorassociated with a user equipment device. Based on the maximumresolution, editing component 340 can determine a maximum resolution atwhich texture data can be stored.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a system 500 is depicted. System 500 can render3D models with regions of texturing having various resolutions, inaccordance with various embodiments disclosed here. System 500 caninclude a memory 504 that stores computer executable components and aprocessor 502 that executes computer executable components stored in thememory 504.

As depicted, system 500 can include communicably coupled componentsprimarily comprising 3D rendering component 532 (which can render 3Dmodels having various portions in various resolutions) and communicationcomponent 536 (which can receive imagery data associated with 3D modelsand can send/receive user input). It is to be appreciated that thesystem 500 can include various components and/or communicated withvarious components described with reference to other systems describedherein (e.g., system 100, system 200, etc.).

Communication component 536 can facilitate communication with one ormore components, devices, or systems. In an aspect, communicationcomponent 536 can facilitate downloading, streaming, or otherwisereceiving a 3D model and related data. In some embodiments,communication component 536 can receive a 3D model from a local orremote storage, such as a server. In another aspect, communicationcomponent 536 can comprise user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, atouch screen, etc.) that can facilitate receiving of user input.

Rendering component 532 can render a 3D model based on received orstored data. It is noted that rendering component 532 can comprisevarious interfaces (e.g., monitors, screens, etc.), processors (e.g.,GPUs), graphics cards, and the like. In an aspect, rendering component532 can render various portions of a model based on generating arendering of a mesh and mapping texture to appropriate portions of themesh. For example, rendering component 532 can construct a 3D modelbased on a 3D mesh and can select texture regions having variousresolutions, as described herein, for mapping or layering on the 3Dmesh.

In some embodiments, rendering component 532 can identify whethertexture associated with a geometric portion of a 3D model should begenerated based on an algorithm or alternate texturing method, such asby identifying an indicator or flag that designates texture as beingassociated with an alternate texturing method. In response toidentifying that the texture should be generated based on an alternatemethod, rendering component 532 can select an appropriate alternatetexture rendering technique. For example, rendering component 532 canidentify that a portion of texture has a high resolution texture and aresidual texture. If the residual texture does not comprise data orotherwise indicates that an artificial or alternative texture renderingtechnique should be utilized, an appropriate technique can be chosen andutilized for rendering the area.

In an aspect, a region of texture can comprise data identifying that theregion is associated with an alternative method of representing texturedata based on a determined pattern. In one aspect, rendering component532 can utilize a library of patterns that are associated with theregion of texture (e.g., wood grain, tile, venetian blinds, etc.).

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate various methodologies in accordance with certainembodiments of this disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methodologies are shown as a series of acts within thecontext of various flowcharts, it is to be understood and appreciatedthat embodiments of the disclosure are not limited by the order of acts,as some acts may occur in different orders or concurrently with otheracts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled inthe art will understand and appreciate that a methodology canalternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states orevents, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated actsmay be required to implement a methodology in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. Additionally, it is to be further appreciatedthat the methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout thisdisclosure are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture tofacilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies tocomputers. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intendedto encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readabledevice or storage media. It is noted that the methods depicted in FIGS.6-11 can be performed by various systems disclosed herein, such assystems 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary method 600. Method 600 can provide forallocating resolutions for regions of texture of a 3D model. In anotheraspect, the method 600 can generate 3D models having regions of textureat various resolutions. For example, a system can generate a 3D modeland can assign resolutions or alternative methods of representingtexture data to various regions of texture.

At 602, a system can generate (e.g., via 3D modeling component 110) a 3Dmodel based on imagery data. In an aspect, 3D imagery data (e.g., 2Dimage data, 3D image data, sensory data, etc.) can be captured, receivedfrom a memory, or generated based on a 3D modeling process. A 3D meshand a texture atlas(es) can be generated as parts of a 3D model. In anaspect, regions of the texture of an atlas can be mapped (e.g.,corresponded) to regions of a 3D mesh. Each region of a texture cancomprise a set of pixels at one or more resolutions.

At 604, a system can select (e.g., via resolution allocation component120) a region of texture associated with the 3D model based on aselection criterion in accordance with various embodiments disclosedherein. For example, a system can select regions of texture based onidentified architectural structures, objects, text, distance from acapturing point, distance from a predicted viewpoint, and the like. Inanother example, regions of texture can be selected based on qualitymetrics of the regions or portions of the regions (e.g., identificationof variance of visual detail), identifiable patterns (e.g., repeatingpatterns, semi-random patterns, random patterns, etc.) identified levelsof interest associated with regions, etc.

At 606, a system can determine (e.g., via resolution allocationcomponent 120) a method of modification for the region of texture.According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a system candetermine whether to alter (e.g., increase or decrease) textureresolutions for regions or portions of regions, whether to utilizealternative methods of representing texture data (e.g., with vertex orface shading), and/or whether to utilize an algorithmically generatedpattern. In another aspect, the system can determine not to modify theregion of texture.

In an aspect, if the system determines to alter a texture resolution,then a target resolution for altering the region of texture can beselected. A target resolution can be determined based on comparing animage of the texture at a first or initial resolution to an image of thetexture at a second or disparate candidate resolution. The comparisoncan continue until comparison of the texture at the initial resolutionand a candidate resolution meets a defined threshold. For example,candidate resolutions can be altered (decreased or increased) until adifference of visual quality meets a defined stopping point. Once thedefined stopping point is reached, the candidate resolution can bechosen. In another example, a pre-determined minimum resolution can bechosen for the region of texture. In one aspect, a pre-determinedminimum resolution can be chosen from a set of pre-determined minimumresolutions. Each minimum resolution of the set of pre-determinedminimum resolutions can be associated with various architecturalelements, objects, levels of interest, and the like. For example, aceiling can be associated with a first pre-determined minimum resolutionand a distant object can be associated with a second pre-determinedminimum resolution. It is noted that in some embodiments a targetresolution can be determined based on user input that identifies atarget resolution.

In one or more other embodiments, a target resolution can be a maximumor higher resolution relative to other regions. For example, the systemcan determine to utilize a maximum available resolution for a regionassociated with a high level of interest or a region associated withfine visual detail. In some embodiments, the system can instruct acapturing device to recapture the texture region at a maximum possibleresolution. In another embodiment, the system can generate anotification to a user that instructs the user to capture the textureregion at a maximum possible resolution. Once an image, corresponding tothe region of texture, at the highest possible resolution is received,the system can apply texture data from the image.

In another aspect, the system can determine to utilize an alternativeappearance representation technique to apply to the region of texture,such as in response to identifying a pattern (e.g., a spatiallyrepetitive pattern, a semi-random pattern, etc.) or a spatial orappearance characteristic of the data. For example, if a region oftexture is small (e.g., meets a defined size) or has very little colorvariation, the system can determine to utilize an more compact texturingor coloring technique, such as vertex coloring. In another example, thesystem can determine to utilize an artificial (e.g., a tiled orgenerative) texturing or coloring technique for a component (e.g., highdetail channel) of a texture region. For example, a system can separatea region of texture into a high detail channel and a low detail channel.A low detail channel can utilize a determined resolution while the highdetail channel can utilize an alternative appearance representationtechnique (e.g., a tiled or generative texture).

At 608, a system can apply (e.g., via resolution allocation component320) the method of modification for the region of texture. In variousembodiments, the system can modify a current resolution of the region oftexture to a target resolution or remove texture data and replace withan alternative texture generating method. Altering the currentresolution (or initial resolution) can comprise reducing the currentresolution to the target resolution, increasing the current resolutionto a maximum resolution, locking the current resolution at a targetresolution (which may the current resolution), and the like.

In an aspect, removing texture data associated with the region oftexture can comprise deleting some or all of the texture data. Deletingtexture data can facilitate a more efficient allocation of memory in thetexture atlas, allowing the total textures for the model to be storedmore compactly. It is noted that deletion of some texture data caninclude rearranging the remaining textures within the atlas. The regionof texture can be marked or flagged as a region associated with adetermined alternative texturing or coloring technique. A texture regionmarked, flagged, or otherwise identified as associated with analternative texturing or coloring technique can be stored for later use(e.g., rendering by rendering component 532). It is noted that a markeror flag can indicate an alternative texturing or coloring technique tobe utilized (e.g., by rendering component 532) at a rendering time.

Turning now to FIG. 7, exemplary method 700 is depicted. Method 700 canprovide for judiciously segmenting texture data, altering the texturedata, and packing the texture data into a set of 2D images. For example,a system can receive a 3D model or 3D imagery data and segment it into a3D mesh and texture areas. The texture areas can be altered todetermined resolutions and can be efficiently packed into an atlas.

At 702, a system can segment (e.g., via segmentation component 330),based on similarity of image data, visual quality of image data, orother characteristics, three dimensional imagery data into a set ofsegments (e.g., regions). In an aspect, the system can determine segmentsizes and positions based on identified similarity of image data orvisual quality of image data, or other characteristics. Similarity ofimage data can be based on positions of segments of image detail andvariance within the segments. In one aspect, the system can identifysegments based on a level of visual detail. The level of visual detailcan be a high detail level, low detail level, average detail level, orother naming conventions, such as a numeric score.

In one example, at 702, a system can re-segment 3D imagery dataassociated with a generated 3D model. In another example, at 702, asystem can perform an initial segmentation process. As such, segmentingcan occur after, before, or during generation of a 3D model.

At 704, a system can alter (e.g., via resolution allocation component320) texture data of the segments to determined resolutions. Eachsegment can be assigned a determined resolution and the segments can bealtered to the determined resolutions. It is noted that a determinedresolution can be zero where a segment is selected for alternatetexturing or coloring methods. In one aspect, altering texture data andsegmenting 3D imagery data can occur simultaneously such that segmentsare determined concurrently with, or as a function of, determiningresolutions for segments. Some embodiments can utilize artificialintelligence or statistical models to achieve best possible efficiencyin segmentation and texture memory allocation while maintaining anacceptable level of visual quality. It is noted that an acceptable levelof visual quality can be determined based on user input, a levelassociated with purchasing information (e.g., a user can purchase a highdetail 3D model, a low detail 3D model, etc.), a level determined basedon specifications of user equipment device, a pre-determined level ofquality, and the like.

At 706, a system can pack (e.g., via resolution allocation component320) the texture data of the segments into a collection of textures. Thecollection of textures can be comprised in a set of 2D images such asone or more atlases as described herein. In some embodiments, the systemcan generate padding between texture segments when the texture segmentsare packed into an atlas. In accordance with various embodiments of thisdisclosure, segmentation and resolution allocation can be based in parton a packing technique. For example, if a region of texture isassociated with low interest, the texture can be assigned a lowresolution or segmented to allow for a less detail-preserving packing.

Turning now to FIG. 8, exemplary method 800 is depicted. Method 800 canprovide for capturing 3D imagery data, determining resolutions for areasof texture, and constructing a 3D model based at least in part on thedetermined resolutions. For example, a system can capture 2D imagerydata and 3D imagery data for generating a 3D model. The system candetermine resolutions for various texture areas (e.g., segments,regions, etc.) and can alter the various texture areas to the respectivedetermined resolutions. The system can construct the 3D model havingareas of various resolutions.

At 802, a system can capture (e.g., via capture component 230) imagerydata for constructing a 3D model. In an aspect, the system can utilizevarious capturing devices (e.g., 2D capturing devices, 3D capturingdevices, sensors, etc.) to capture or scan a real world space. Thecaptured imagery data can be stored in a memory or processed by thesystem. While capturing imagery data is described at reference numeral802, it is noted that imagery data can be received from a data store(e.g., imagery database 206).

At 804, a system can determine (e.g., via resolution allocationcomponent 220) a first resolution for a first area of texture data, andat reference numeral 806, the system can determine (e.g., via resolutionallocation component 220) a second resolution for a second area oftexture data. In an example, the system can determine that a regioncomprises the first area having low visual detail and the second areahaving high or fine visual detail. The first resolution can bedetermined and applied to the first area such that a resolution of thefirst area is reduced. This reduction can result in little or noperceptible loss in visual quality. In another aspect, the reduction canreduce an amount of memory needed to store texture data of the firstarea. The second resolution (e.g., a maximum available resolution orsome threshold resolution) can be determined and applied to the secondarea such that visual detail is not lost or is increased. In someembodiments, the second resolution can be a maximum available resolutionor a resolution chosen such that visual quality is not lost. It is notedthat resolutions of the first area and second area can each be alteredto a common resolution or different resolutions. Likewise, theresolutions can be altered by various amounts and/or according tovarious scales.

At 808, a system can construct (e.g., via 3D modeling component 210) a3d model based at least in part on the first area of texture data andthe second area of the texture data. In an aspect, a system can assignor map the first area and second area to areas of a 3D mesh. In anexample, the system can determine 3D triangles of a 3D mesh andassociate triangular areas of texture to 3D triangles. In anotheraspect, the system can publish the 3D model such that the model can bedownloaded, broadcasted, streamed, or otherwise disseminated over acommunications network.

Turning now to FIG. 9, exemplary method 900 is depicted. Method 900 canprovide for identifying patterns within a texture and allocating texturememory to texture regions (e.g., areas, portions, segments, etc.)associated with the patterns. For example, a system can identify aregular repeating pattern, a semi-random pattern, or random patternwithin texture data. The texture data can be split into sub-texturescomprising a pattern sub-texture and a residual sub-texture.

At 902, a system can determine (e.g., via resolution allocationcomponent 320) a pattern within a region(s) of texture. The pattern canbe identified as a regular repeating pattern, a semi-random pattern, arandom pattern, and the like. In some embodiments, the pattern cancorrespond to an area of a 3D model that is scanned from an areacomprising tiling, wood grain, brick, a stuccoed surface, and the like.In an aspect, the system can determine a pattern based on variouspattern identification techniques. Once identified, at reference numeral904 a system can determine whether to split a texture into sub-textures.If the system determines to split the texture, method 900 can continueat reference numeral 906. If it is determined that the texture shouldnot be split, then method 900 can continue at reference numeral 908.

At 906, a system can split (e.g., via resolution allocation component320) the region(s) of texture into a geometric pattern sub-texture and aresidual sub-texture. The pattern sub-texture and the residualsub-texture can be generated by identifying the pattern and thensubtracting the pattern sub-texture from an overall texture. A result ofthe subtraction can generate the residual sub-texture. In someembodiments, the residual sub-texture can be at substantially lowerresolution or can comprise lower visual detail.

At 908, the system can determine whether or not to generate a generativepattern function based on a detected pattern. If the system determinesto utilize a generative pattern then method 900 can continue at 910,otherwise method 900 can continue at 912.

At 910, a system can determine (e.g., via resolution allocationcomponent 320) a pattern generation function. The pattern generationfunction can comprise a function that, when applied by a renderingcomponent (e.g., rendering component 532) generates the identifiedpattern or a similar pattern. In an example, the exact semi-randompattern, such as a stuccoed wall, may have little importance. A usermight ignore or otherwise disregard the exact pattern, and a generativepattern can be generated with little or no loss in visual quality oruser satisfaction. In some embodiments, the pattern generation functioncan facilitate generation of a pattern (e.g., at rendering) and aresidual texture can be added to the generated pattern to generate animage. In other embodiments, the pattern generation function canautomatically generate variations to represent a residual pattern.

At 912, a system can alter (e.g., via resolution allocation component320) a resolution of the residual sub-texture if the residualsub-texture exists. In an example, a resolution of the residualsub-texture can be reduced according to various embodiments described inthis disclosure. The resolution of the residual sub-texture can bealtered (e.g., reduced) regardless of detail in the main pattern,spatial variation, or level of visual detail associated with theresidual sub-texture. In some embodiments, the residual sub-texture orpixels of the residual sub-texture can be completely removed. If theresidual sub-texture is removed, it can optionally be generated (e.g.,based on a pseudo-random shading technique, algorithmically generatedpseudo-random texture, etc.) at run time and combined with the patternedsub-texture.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary method 1000. Method 1000 can provide forrendering a 3D model having regions at various resolutions in accordancewith various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, a system canreceive data describing a 3D model and can generate a rendering of the3D model (or a portion thereof) for display on an interface, such thatvarious portions of the 3D model are generated at various resolutions orwith various levels of detail.

At 1002, a system can receive (e.g., via communication component 536)imagery data associated with a 3D model. Imagery data can comprise 3Dmeshes, point clouds, metadata, texture atlases, and the like. Inembodiments, imagery data can be received, at least in part, from one ormore systems (e.g., system 100, system 200, system 300, etc.) describedherein or from one or more data stores, such as a server or internalstorage of a system.

At 1004, a system can map (e.g., via rendering component 532) texturedata to a mesh of the 3D model. In embodiments, regions of texture datacan be comprised in one or more atlases or sets of 2D images comprisingtexture data as well as possibly other appearance data. The textureregions can comprise regions having various resolutions or regionsassociated with alternative or generative texturing techniques. In someembodiments, the system can determine that portions of texture regionsshould be combined when mapped or rendered. For example, a patterntexture and a residual texture can be combined when rendered.

At 1006, a system can generate (e.g., via rendering component 532)artificial textures based on the received imagery data. For example, theimagery data can indicate that a particular texture region or 3D meshregion corresponds to a particular texture or color generating function.In an aspect, the texture function can comprise a pattern generationfunction (e.g., regular repeating pattern, semi-random pattern, randompattern, etc.), a shading or coloring function (e.g., artificiallighting function, vertex coloring function, etc.), and the like.

At 1008, a system can render (e.g., via rendering component 532) the 3Dmodel at various resolutions. In an aspect, the system can renderportions of the 3D model based on a user's position in a model and/orfacilitate user navigation of the model. Some embodiments of theforegoing can be found in application Ser. No. 14/219,906.

The systems and processes described below can be embodied withinhardware, such as a single integrated circuit (IC) chip, multiple ICs,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. Further,the order in which some or all of the process blocks appear in eachprocess should not be deemed limiting. Rather, it should be understoodthat some of the process blocks can be executed in a variety of orders,not all of which may be explicitly illustrated herein.

With reference to FIG. 11, a suitable environment 1100 for implementingvarious aspects of the claimed subject matter includes a computer 1102.The computer 1102 includes a processing unit 1104, a system memory 1106,a codec 1135, and a system bus 1108. The system bus 1108 couples systemcomponents including, but not limited to, the system memory 1106 to theprocessing unit 1104. The processing unit 1104 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as the processing unit 1104.

The system bus 1108 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1106 includes volatile memory 1110 and non-volatilememory 1112. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basicroutines to transfer information between elements within the computer1102, such as during start-up, is stored in non-volatile memory 1112. Inaddition, according to present innovations, codec 1135 may include atleast one of an encoder or decoder, wherein the at least one of anencoder or decoder may consist of hardware, software, or a combinationof hardware and software. Although, codec 1135 is depicted as a separatecomponent, codec 1135 may be contained within non-volatile memory 1112.By way of illustration, and not limitation, non-volatile memory 1112 caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory 1110 includes random accessmemory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. According to presentaspects, the volatile memory may store the write operation retry logic(not shown in FIG. 11) and the like. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM),dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM(DDR SDRAM), and enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM).

Computer 1102 may also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage medium. FIG. 11 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1114. Disk storage 1114 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, solid state disk (SSD)floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flashmemory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage 1114 can includea storage medium separately or in combination with other storage mediaincluding, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as a compactdisk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CDrewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive(DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage 1114 to thesystem bus 1108, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 1116. It is appreciated that storage devices1114 can store information related to a user. Such information might bestored at or provided to a server or to an application running on a userdevice. In one embodiment, the user can be notified (e.g., by way ofoutput device(s) 1136) of the types of information that are stored todisk storage 1114 or transmitted to the server or application. The usercan be provided the opportunity to control use of such informationcollected or shared with the server or application (e.g., by way ofinput from input device(s) 1128).

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 11 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and the basic computer resources described inthe suitable operating environment 1100. Such software includes anoperating system 1118. Operating system 1118, which can be stored ondisk storage 1114, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer 1102. Applications 1120 take advantage of the management ofresources by operating system 1118 through program modules 1124, andprogram data 1126, such as the boot/shutdown transaction table and thelike, stored either in system memory 1106 or on disk storage 1114. It isto be appreciated that the claimed subject matter can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer 1102 throughinput device(s) 1128. Input devices 1128 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and thelike. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 1104through the system bus 1108 via interface port(s) 1130. Interfaceport(s) 1130 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, agame port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 1136 usesome of the same type of ports as input device(s) 1128. Thus, forexample, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 1102 and tooutput information from computer 1102 to an output device 1136. Outputadapter 1134 is provided to illustrate that there are some outputdevices 1136 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices 1136, which require special adapters. The output adapters 1134include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide a means of connection between the output device 1136and the system bus 1108. It should be noted that other devices orsystems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such asremote computer(s) 1138.

Computer 1102 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1138. The remote computer(s) 1138 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device, a smart phone, a tablet, or other network node, andtypically includes many of the elements described relative to computer1102. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1140 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1138. Remote computer(s) 1138 islogically connected to computer 1102 through a network interface 1142and then connected via communication connection(s) 1144. Networkinterface 1142 encompasses wire or wireless communication networks suchas local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN) and cellularnetworks. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface(FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ringand the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 1144 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 1142 to the bus 1108. Whilecommunication connection 1144 is shown for illustrative clarity insidecomputer 1102, it can also be external to computer 1102. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 1142includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and wired and wirelessEthernet cards, hubs, and routers.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a schematic block diagramof a computing environment 1200 in accordance with this specification.The system 1200 includes one or more client(s) 1202 (e.g., laptops,smart phones, PDAs, media players, computers, portable electronicdevices, tablets, and the like). The client(s) 1202 can be hardware,software, or hardware in combination with software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The system 1200 also includes one or moreserver(s) 1204. The server(s) 1204 can also be hardware or hardware incombination with software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices).The servers 1204 can house threads to perform transformations byemploying aspects of this disclosure, for example. One possiblecommunication between a client(s) 1202 and a server 1204 can be in theform of a data packet transmitted between two or more computer processeswherein the data packet may include video data, resources referencingmedia items, and the like. The data packet can include a cookie orassociated contextual information, for example. The system 1200 includesa communication framework 1206 (e.g., a global communication networksuch as the Internet, or mobile network(s)) that can be employed tofacilitate communications between the client(s) 1202 and the server(s)1204.

Communications can be facilitated via a wired (including optical fiber)or wireless technology. The client(s) 1202 are operatively connected toone or more client data store(s) 1208 that can be employed to storeinformation local to the client(s) 1202 (e.g., cookie(s) or associatedcontextual information). Similarly, the server(s) 1204 are operativelyconnected to one or more server data store(s) 1210 that can be employedto store information local to the servers 1204.

In one embodiment, a client 1202 can transfer an encoded file, inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, to server 1204. Server1204 can store the file, decode the file, or transmit the file toanother client 1202. It is to be appreciated, that a client 1202 canalso transfer uncompressed file to a server 1204 and server 1204 cancompress the file in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.Likewise, server 1204 can encode video information and transmit theinformation via communication framework 1206 to one or more clients1202.

The illustrated aspects of the disclosure may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Moreover, it is to be appreciated that various components describedherein can include electrical circuit(s) that can include components andcircuitry elements of suitable value in order to implement theembodiments of the subject innovation(s). Furthermore, it can beappreciated that many of the various components can be implemented onone or more integrated circuit (IC) chips. For example, in oneembodiment, a set of components can be implemented in a single IC chip.In other embodiments, one or more of respective components arefabricated or implemented on separate IC chips.

What has been described above includes examples of the embodiments ofthe present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the claimed subject matter, but it is to be appreciated thatmany further combinations and permutations of the subject innovation arepossible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embraceall such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the above descriptionof illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what isdescribed in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specificembodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes,various modifications are possible that are considered within the scopeof such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant artcan recognize. Moreover, use of the term “an embodiment” or “oneembodiment” throughout is not intended to mean the same embodimentunless specifically described as such.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms used to describe such components are intended to correspond,unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs thespecified function of the described component (e.g., a functionalequivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosedstructure, which performs the function in the herein illustratedexemplary aspects of the claimed subject matter. In this regard, it willalso be recognized that the innovation includes a system as well as acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructionsfor performing the acts or events of the various methods of the claimedsubject matter.

The aforementioned systems/circuits/modules have been described withrespect to interaction between several components/blocks. It can beappreciated that such systems/circuits and components/blocks can includethose components or specified sub-components, some of the specifiedcomponents or sub-components, or additional components, and according tovarious permutations and combinations of the foregoing. Sub-componentscan also be implemented as components communicatively coupled to othercomponents rather than included within parent components (hierarchical).Additionally, it should be noted that one or more components may becombined into a single component providing aggregate functionality ordivided into several separate sub-components, and any one or more middlelayers, such as a management layer, may be provided to communicativelycouple to such sub-components in order to provide integratedfunctionality. Any components described herein may also interact withone or more other components not specifically described herein but knownby those of skill in the art.

In addition, while a particular feature of the subject innovation mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any givenor particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms“includes,” “including,” “has,” “contains,” variants thereof, and othersimilar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims,these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as an open transition word without precluding anyadditional or other elements.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either hardware (e.g., a circuit), a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or an entity related to an operational machine withone or more specific functionalities. For example, a component may be,but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor (e.g.,digital signal processor), a processor, an object, an executable, athread of execution, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration,both an application running on a controller and the controller can be acomponent. One or more components may reside within a process or threadof execution and a component may be localized on one computer ordistributed between two or more computers. Further, a “device” can comein the form of specially designed hardware; generalized hardware madespecialized by the execution of software thereon that enables thehardware to perform specific functions; software stored on a computerreadable medium; or a combination thereof.

Moreover, the words “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use ofthe words “example” or “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in aconcrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intendedto mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unlessspecified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” isintended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, ifX employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs Aor B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition,the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform. In another aspect, unless specified otherwise, or clear fromcontext, “transitioning between A and B” is intended to mean inclusivepermutations. That is transitioning from A to B and transitioning from Bto A.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, inwhich these two terms are used herein differently from one another asfollows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storagemedia that can be accessed by the computer, is typically of anon-transitory nature, and can include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented inconnection with any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data, orunstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal that can betransitory such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining, by a devicecomprising a processor, a target resolution for first texture dataassociated with a first region of a three-dimensional model comprising aplurality of regions respectively associated with texture data, whereinthe determining the target resolution comprises determining the targetresolution based on a capture resolution of the first texture data andone or more criteria; and based on the determining, sending by thedevice via a network, a request to a server device for the first texturedata at the target resolution for rendering by the device in arepresentation of the three-dimensional model comprising the firstregion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein based on sending, the methodfurther comprises: receiving, by the device via the network, the firsttexture data from the server device at only the target resolution forthe displaying by the device at only the target resolution in therepresentation of the three-dimensional model.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving, by the device, navigation informationindicating a perspective for viewing the three-dimensional model inassociation with navigation of the three-dimensional model at thedevice, and wherein the determining the target resolution for the firsttexture data is based on a determination that the perspective includesthe first region.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein based on thedetermining, a resolution of first texture data is altered from thecapture resolution to the target resolution, resulting in alteredtexture data, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, bythe device from the server device via the network, the altered texturedata in response to the requesting.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe altered texture data has a lower resolution relative to the captureresolution.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein altered texture datarequires less bandwidth of the network for the receiving relative to thefirst texture data at the capture resolution.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more criteria comprise a performance metricassociated with the device.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein theperformance metric is based on a specification of one or more componentsof the device selected from a group consisting of, a processor, agraphics card, a monitor, and a viewing component.
 9. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the performance metric comprises a connection speed ofa connection of the network between the device and the device.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more criteria comprise a resourceallocation score associated with the first texture region.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more criteria are selected from agroup consisting of: a frequency domain of the first region, asubjective interest associated with the first region, an objectiveinterest associated with the first region, association of anarchitectural element with the first region, a viewpoint distanceassociated with the first region, an image quality metric associatedwith the first region, a size of the first region, and association of apattern with the first region.
 12. A device, comprising: a processor;and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed bythe processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:determining a target resolution for first texture data associated with afirst region of a three-dimensional model comprising a plurality ofregions respectively associated with texture data, wherein thedetermining the target resolution comprises determining the targetresolution based on a capture resolution of the first texture data andone or more criteria; and based on the determining, sending a request toa server device for the first texture data at the target resolution fordisplaying by the device in a representation of the three-dimensionalmodel comprising the first region.
 13. The device of claim 12, whereinbased on sending, the operations further comprise: receiving, from theserver device via a network, the first texture data at only the targetresolution for the displaying by the device at only the targetresolution in the representation of the three-dimensional model.
 14. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise: receivingnavigation information indicating a perspective for viewing thethree-dimensional model in association with navigation of thethree-dimensional model at the device, and wherein the determining thetarget resolution for the first texture data is based on a determinationthat the perspective includes the first region.
 15. The device of claim12, wherein based on the determining, a resolution of first texture datais altered from the capture resolution to the target resolution,resulting in altered texture data, and wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving the altered texture data from the server device viaa network based on the sending the request.
 16. The device of claim 15,wherein the altered texture data has a lower resolution relative to thecapture resolution.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the one or morecriteria comprise a performance metric associated with the device. 18.The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more criteria comprise aconnection speed of a network connection between the device and theserver device.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: determining a targetresolution for first texture data associated with a first region of athree-dimensional model comprising a plurality of regions respectivelyassociated with texture data, wherein the determining the targetresolution comprises determining the target resolution based on aresource allocation score associated with the first region; and based onthe determining, sending a request to a server device for the firsttexture data at only the target resolution for displaying by the devicein a representation of the three-dimensional model comprising the firstregion.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim19, wherein the resource allocation score is based on one or morecriteria selected from a group consisting of: a frequency domain of thefirst region, a subjective interest associated with the first region, anobjective interest associated with the first region, association of anarchitectural element with the first region, a viewpoint distanceassociated with the first region, an image quality metric associatedwith the first region, a size of the first region, and association of apattern with the first region.